Self-compacting Concrete : Methods of Testing and Design

P Kumar, Non-member
Nowadays, the performance required for concrete structures is more complicated and diversified. The concrete is required to have properties like
high fluidity, self-compactability, high strength, high durability, better serviceability and long service life of concrete structures. Self-compactability
is desirable to attain rationalized and labour saving effects in manufacturing and placing of concrete. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a highly
engineered concrete that addresses these requirements. It was developed around 1988 in Japan, to improve the durability of concrete structures.
The early stage deteriorations of concrete structures are a result of the manual placing and the inadequate consolidation. Therefore, the need for
the development of concrete with high fluidity and no segregation was felt. This paper deals with the history of SCC development and its basic
principle, different testing methods to test high-flowability, resistance against segregation, and passibility. Different mix design methods using a
variety of materials has been discussed in this paper, as the characteristics of materials and the mix proportion influences self-compactability to
a great extent, also its applications and its practical acceptance at jobsite and its future prospects have also been discussed.
Keywords: Self-compacting concrete; Self-compactability testing method; Mix-design method

INTRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT

For several years, the problem of the durability of concrete
structures has been a major problem posed to engineers. To
make durable concrete structures, sufficient compaction is
required. Compaction for conventional concrete is done by
vibrating. Over vibration can easily cause segregation. In
conventional concrete, it is difficult to ensure uniform material
quality and good density in heavily reinforced locations. If steel
is not properly surrounded by concrete it leads to durability
problems. The answer to the problem may be a type of concrete
which can get compacted into every corner of form work and
gap between steel, purely by means of its own weight and
without the need for compaction. The SCC concept was
introduced to overcome these difficulties. This concept can be
stated as the concrete that meets special performance and
uniformity requirements that cannot always be obtained by using
conventional ingredients, normal mixing procedure and curing
practices.
The SCC is an engineered material consisting of cement,
aggregates, water and admixtures with several new constituents
like colloidal silica, pozzolanic materials, portland flyash (PFA),
ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), microsilica,
metakaolin, chemical admixtures to take care of specific
requirements, such as, high-flowability, compressive strength,
high workability, enhanced resistances to chemical or mechanical
stresses, lower permeability, durability, resistance against
seg regation, and passibility under dense reinforcement
conditions.
In Japan, in early eighties, premature deterioration of concrete
structures were detected almost everywhere in the country. The
main cause of the deterioration was recognized as inadequate
compaction. In addition, the gradual reduction in the number
of skilled workers in Japan’s construction industry led to a
reduction in the quality of construction work. As a solution for
these social and technical requirements, the concept of SCC
was proposed by Prof Okamura1 at Tokyo University in 1988.
He gave the first prototype of SCC using materials already in
the market. Later studies to develop SCC, including a
fundamental study on the workability of concrete, were carried
out by Ozawa and Maekawa2. SCC has now been taken up with
enthusiasm across Europe and other parts of the world, in both
site and precast concrete work. Practical application has been
backed up by research on its physical and mechanical
characteristics of SCC.
Early SCC relied on very high contents of cementitious paste,
the mixes required specialized and well-controlled placing
methods to avoid segregation, but the high contents of cement
paste made them prone to shrinkage and high heat generation.
The overall costs were very high and applications therefore
remained very limited. After series of advancements it is no
longer a material consisting of cement, aggregates, water and
admixtures. As already mentioned it is now an engineered
material with several constituents.
BASIC PRINCIPLE

The properties, such as, fluidity and high resistance to
seg regation enables the placement of concrete without
vibrations and with reduced labour, noise and much less wear
and tear of equipment. Use of SCC overcomes the problem of
concrete placement in heavily reinforced sections and it helps
to shorten construction period.
P Kumar resides at 2B/26/10, Bhilai, Chattisgarh 490 006.
This paper (revised) was received on October 17, 2005. Written discussion on this
paper will be entertained till April 30, 2006.
The SCC is that which gets compacted due to its self-weight
and is deaerated (no entrapped air) almost completely while
flowing in the form work. In densely reinforced structural
members, it fills completely all the voids and gaps and maintains
nearly horizontal concrete level after it is placed. With regard
to its composition, SCC consists of the same components as
conventionally vibrated normal concrete, ie, cement, aggregates,
water, additives or admixtures. However, the high dosage of
super-plasticizer used for reduction of the liquid limit and for
better workability, the high powder content as ‘lubricant’ for

Vol 86, February 2006 145


Reduction of water- Limitations of coarse Usage of super
powder ratio(w/p) aggregate content plasticizer
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
High segregation resistance High deformability of
of mortar and the concrete mortar and concrete
↓ Self-compactability
↓ D1
Figure 1 Basic principles for production of self-compacting concrete3
the coarse aggregates, as well as the use of viscosity-agents to
increase the viscosity of the concrete have to be taken into
account.
Superplasticizer enhances deformability and with the reduction
of water/powder segregation resistance is increased. High
deformability and high segregation resistance is obtained by
limiting the amount of coarse aggregate. These two properties
of mortar and concrete in turn leads to self-compactability
limitation of coarse aggregate content. Figure 1 shows the basic
principles for the production of SCC.
INVESTIGATIONS ON SELF-COMPACTING
CONCRETE
Several investigations have been carried out to make SCC a
standard construction material. The most important research
investigations on SCC include:
(a) self-compactability testing method.
(b) mix-design method including evaluation methods for
materials.
(c) construction method including acceptance test at jobsite.
Testing of SCC
At the stage before solidification, self-compacting concrete is
required to have three qualities: high-flowability, resistance
against segregation and passibility, ie, ability that is necessary to
pass the space between reinforcing bars. Other additional
properties, such as, washout resistance and finishability, may be
significant and specified for individual projects/applications.
Therefore, it is important to test whether the concrete is self-
compactable or not and also to evaluate deformability or
viscosity for estimating proper mix proportioning if the concrete
does not have sufficient self-compactability. The existing
procedures for self-compacting characteristics are those, which
measure height differences at different points under free flow
and also resistance against blocking. The common tests currently
used, although not standardized for assessment of fresh SCC,
are described here.
Slump Flow Test for Measuring Flowability
The basic equipment used is the same as for the conventional
Slump test 4 (Figure 2). The test method differs from the
146
Slump cone
Slump flow = (D1+D2)/2
Flow table 1000 × 1000
D2
500
Segregation border
Unit : mm
Figure 2 Flow-ability of self-compacting concrete
conventional one in the way that the concrete sample placed
into the mould has no reinforcement rod and when the slump
cone is removed the sample collapses. The diameter of the
spread of the sample is measured, ie, a horizontal distance is
measured as against the vertical slump measured in the
conventional test. While measuring the diameter of the spread,
the time that the sample takes to reach a diameter of 500 mm
(T50) is also sometimes measured. The Slump Flow test can give
an indication about the filling ability of SCC and an experienced
operator can also detect an extreme susceptibility of the mix to
segregation. However, this information cannot be obtained from
numerical results alone, a substantial previous experience in
using the test and carrying out construction in SCC is essential.
V-funnel Test
The V-funnel test was developed in Japan and used by Ozawa,
et al 5. The equipment consists of a V-shaped funnel, shown in
Figure 3. The funnel is filled with concrete and the time taken
by it to flow through the apparatus measured. This test gives
account of the filling capacity (flowability). The inverted cone
shape shows any possibility of the concrete to block is reflected
in the result.
U-type Test
The U-type test6 proposed by the Taisei group is shown in Figure 4.
In this test, the degree of compactability can be indicated by
490 mm
75 mm
425 mm
150 mm
65 mm
Figure 3 V-funnel
IE(I) Journal-CV
 200 Front view
200 mm

100 mm
450
590

100 mm
500 mm
Rebars 3 × φ13
Distance 4 × 50 mm
140

h= 300
50 mm
140 140
280
50 mm
Unit : mm 300 mm

Figure 4 U-type test

the height that the concrete reaches after flowing through an 150 mm 350 mm
obstacle. Concrete with the filling height ‘h’ of over 300 mm
can be judged as self-compacting.
Figure 6 Fill box test
L-box Test
between two sides of the container is taken as the measure for
The L-box test method uses a test apparatus comprising a the filling ability (flowability).
vertical section and a horizontal trough into which the concrete
is allowed to flow on the release of a trap door from the vertical Orimet Test
section passing through reinforcing bars placed at the
The Orimet test is based on the principle of an orifice rheometer
intersection of the two areas of the apparatus (Figure 5)7. The
applied to fresh concrete. The test involves recording the time
time it takes to flow a distance of 200mm (T-20) and 400 mm
taken for a concrete sample to flow out from a vertical casting
(T-40) into the horizontal section is measured. The concrete
pipe through an interchangeable orifice attached at its lower
ends of the apparatus H 1 and H2 measure the height of the
end (Figure 7) 8. The shorter the flow-time, the higher is the
concrete at both ends. The L-box test can give an indication as
filling ability of the fresh mix. The Orimet test also shows a
to the filling ability and passing ability.
potential to assess resistance to segregation at a site.
Fill Box Test
Slump Flow/J-Ring Combination Test
The fill box test uses a test apparatus comprising transparent
This involves the slump cone being placed inside a 300 mm
container with a flat and smooth surface (Figure 6)4. Thirty-
diameter steel ring attached to vertical reinforcing bars at
five obstacles each of 20 mm diameter made of PVC with a
appropriate spacing (the J-ring itself) (Figure 8)9. Like in the
centre-to-centre distance of 50 mm are present in the container.
Slump Flow test, the diameter of the spread and the T-50 time
At the topside is put a filling pipe (diameter 100 mm height 500
are recorded, but the height of the concrete after the test within
mm) with a funnel (height 100 mm). The container is filled with
concrete through this filling pipe and the difference in height

100

200
980

Rebars 3× φ12
600

Gap 0.35 mm
1090

600
60

200

150
H1

H2

0-200 0-400
800
Unit : mm Unit : mm
Figure 5 L-box test Figure 7 Orimet test

Vol 86, February 2006 147

 100 Table 1 Acceptance criteria for self-compacting concrete

300 Method Typical range of values

Minimum Maximum

200 Slump flow, mm 650 800

T50 cm slump flow (if measured), s 2 5
300 V-funnel, s 6 12
U-box (h), mm > 300
L-box (h 2/h1) 0.8 1.0
Orimet, s 0 5
J-ring*, mm 0 10
GTM Screen stability test, s 0 15
Note : * The J-Ring is used in conjunction with the slump flow, the orimet test. These
Figure 8 Slump flow/J-ring combination test combinations test the flowing ability and (the contribution of the J-ring) the passing ability
of the concrete.
the J-ring is also measured. The Slump flow/J-ring combination
test is an improvement upon the Slump Flow test on its own as 70 mm
it aims to also assess the passing ability of the fresh mix.

Orimet/J-Ring Combination Test

60 mm
This recently developed test involves the J-Ring being placed
centrally below the orifice of the Orimet apparatus, allowing
the discharged mix to fall into it and flow outwards. The Orimet
time is recorded as in the conventional Orimet test, along with
d= 100 mm
the diameter of the concrete spread and the height of the
concrete within the J-ring 9. The more dynamic flow of concrete
dz dz
in this test simulates better the behaviour of a SCC mix when
placed in practice compared with the Slump-flow variation. The
Orimet/J-ring combination test shows great promise as a
method of assessing filling ability, passing ability and resistance
to segregation. Definition of Γp/m=(d/d0)2 - 1, where d = 1/2 (d1+d2)

Figure 9 Flow cone and flow table to determine the relative slump-flow Γp
GTM Segregation Test
270
The GTM segregation test has been developed by the French
30
contractor, GTM, to assess segregation resistance (stability). It
consists of taking a sample of 10 litres of concrete, allowing it
to stand for 15 ± 0.5 min to allow any internal segregation to
occur, then pouring half of it on to a 5 mm sieve of 350 mm
240

diameter, which stands on a sieve pan on a weigh scale. After

two minutes, the mortar which passed through the sieve is
weighed, and expressed as a percentage of the weight of the
original sample on the sieve. Practicing engineers who have used
60

this test say it is a very effective way of assessing the stability

of SCC.
Acceptance Criteria for Self-Compacting Concrete
The criteria of acceptance for SCC with a maximum aggregate
size up to 20 mm are shown in Table 14. The requirements shown
against each test are based on the current knowledge and
practice. However these may change with the future
developments.
Mix-design
Self-compactability can be largely affected by the characteristics
of materials and the mix-proportion. A rational mix-design
method for SCC using a variety of materials is necessary. Two
main approaches for the mix-design of SCC are described.
Unit : mm 30
Figure 10 V-funnel to determine the flow time of mortar
Japanese Concept for Design of SCC
The Japanese concept for design of SCC is based on a method
proposed by Okamura and Ozawa10. The authors have proposed
a simple mix-proportioning system assuming general supply
from ready-mixed concrete plants. The coarse and fine aggregate
contents are fixed so that self-compactability can be achieved
easily by adjusting the water to powder volume ratio and
superplasticizer dosage only. The mixed design as proposed is:
• coarse aggregate content is fixed at 50% of the solid volume;
• fine aggregate content is fixed at 40% of the mortar volume;

148 IE(I) Journal-CV

 • water-powder ratio in volume is assumed as 0.9 to 1.0
depending on the properties of the powder; and
• superplasticizer dosage and the final water-powder ratio are
determined so as to ensure the self-compactability.
The value of water to powder volume ratio (Vw/Vp) is optimized
by mortar flow test and Mortar Funnel Test.
Takada11 considered the slump flow value of 650±30 mm and
the V-funnel time of 11±2 s as adequate value for the workable
SCC. Further to increase the viscosity and thereby reduce the
deformity an organic stabilizer ‘welan gum’ 12 was used. In
organic stabilizer, there is a polymer formation of 3-dimensional
framework which increases the viscosity and water adsorption.
German concept for Design of SCC
A new concept for mix design is developed in a precast plant
of HOCHTIEF of Germany 13 . A new type of SCC was
developed by maintaining the content of ultra fine powder within
the codal limitations of German standards. Though the ultra
fine content in this SCC are within the limits specified by DIN
1045, flowability is very high and beyond the limits laid down
in consistency classes of the DIN standard, thereby
demonstrating this concrete as SCC. In this mix newly developed
additive based on polyacrylate and multicarboxylatether (MCE)
are used. The product is synthesized so that saponification is
sterically hindered by long lasting action. Complete dispersion
is achieved at a low dosag e through a 3-dimensional
configuration of long chain. The hydration of cement is
unaffected because of low contact area of polymer.
Acceptance Test at Jobsite
The degree of compaction in a structure depends upon the self-
compactability of concrete. Poor self-compactability can not
be compensated at construction site. Self-compactability should
be checked for the whole amount of concrete just before casting
at job site. However, conventional testing methods for self-
compactability require sampling and it will be extremely difficult
to carry out self-compactability acceptance test for whole
concrete. A suitable acceptance test method has been developed
by Ouchi, et al 14. The testing apparatus is installed between
agitator truck and pump at the job site. The whole amount of
the concrete is poured into the apparatus. If the concrete flows
through the apparatus, the concrete is considered as self-
compactable for the structure. If the apparatus stops the
concrete, the concrete is considered as having insufficient self-
compactability and mix-proportion has to be adjusted.
FUTURE OF SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE
Since the development of the prototype of SCC in 1988, its use
in actual structures has gradually increased worldwide. SCC
addresses many environmental issues; the main ones are
reduction in noise level in the factory as well as on site, reduction
in personal injuries from noise and manual handling, reduction
Vol 86, February 2006
Table 2 Potential opportunities from use of SCC
Designer/ Client Contractor
More innovative designs Reduced formwork cost
Denser reinforcement Reduced equipment costs
More complex shapes Less man power
Improved health safety Shorter construction programme
Faster construction Improved health and safety
Whole-life savings Reduced remedial work
Improved durability Lower environmental loading
Reduced liability
Cost saving construction technique
in electricity usage and reduction in the overall maintenance
costs of vibration equipment. A typical application example of
SCC is the two anchorages of Akashi-Kaikyo (Straits) Bridge
opened in April 1998, a suspension bridge with the longest span
(1991 m) in the world6.
The SCC provides tangible opportunities to both designer and
contractor. They are highlighted in Table 215.
It also has a future in the precast industry providing durable
concrete at a lower cost due to lower initial investments of
vibrating facilities and lower recurring costs due to faster reusage
of moulds. It improves the working environment at plants and
sites by eliminating noise of vibration; it is possible for concrete
product plants to be located in the urban area.
CONCLUSION
Considering the economy and the durability of conventional
concrete structures, it is observed that the quality and the density
of the concrete cover, as well as the compaction of the concrete
are main parameters that cause deterioration. For this, SCC
offers new possibilities and prospects. It can be a boon
considering improvement in concrete quality, significant
advances towards automation and concrete construction
processes, shortened construction time, lower construction cost
and much improvement in working conditions as it reduces noise
pollution and is rightly called as a ‘silent revolution’ in the field
of concrete technology.
In our country, the special type of concrete is used on few jobs
on experimental basis. However it will be more frequently used
as economics and environmental pollution will become major
concerns of 21st century.
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